I am hoping someone can help me with the motion sickness I have been experiencing while swimming lately.

When I started swimming two years ago, I used to get sick, but I think that was exhaustion from poor technique. Since then, I have swam several short triathlons and a couple Olympic distance tris.

My last race was an Olympic distance open water in October, and I was fine training and competing. I took a break for a while and just tried to get in the pool to start training again a couple weeks ago, and then again today. Both times I have had to stop after a few hundred feet, because I felt very motion sick. I really thought I was going to hurl on the side of the pool. Even for the next hour or so afterwards, all I could do was take a Dramamine and lay on the couch until I felt better.

I'm not sure what is the cause - nutrition, bad technique, out of shape?

Anyone else experience this? Any coaches who have heard of this or have any techniques to help?

Thanks!

Does it mainly happen during back stroke and front crawl? If so, it might be Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. I get it now and then, and it was diagnosed in part because I got it in those strokes but not 'fly or breast.
It's caused when tiny chunks of calcium break loose in your inner ear canals (the spiral balance part) and start bouncing around.
Using ear plugs might help if the water is cold. Cold water can aggravate inner ear problems.
http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/dis.../bppv.html